Grand Valley State endured the cold Ashland weather to improve their record to 18-2 (7-0 GLIAC) last weekend at Donges field. The three games in two days dropped Ashland’s record to 12-9, 3-5 in the GLIAC. The Eagles lost game one, 16-7, game two, 2-1 and finally, a 7-0 shutout. Game two of the first doubleheader was canceled due to poor weather conditions.

Game One

   The opening game of the scheduled back-to-back doubleheaders last Saturday just wouldn’t end for the Eagles. Rain and snow postponed the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out and bases loaded with Eagles down 16-5. To paint a picture, it was like when the midges attacked Joba Chamberlain during game two of the American League Division Series, but the Eagles couldn’t play through the weather.

   The game continued the next day with AU putting two more runs on the board before making the hardest out in baseball.

   Brad Thomas started for the Eagles and gave up a couple of early doubles which put Ashland behind 2-0 going into the third inning. The flood gates opened in the top of the third inning as Thomas recorded only one out before being relieved. GVSU scored nine runs on seven hits in the inning. Cody Grice got the inning started with a homerun. A single ensued, accompanied by an error by the AU right fielder, allowing the GVSU runner to advance to second. A failed pickoff attempt sent the baseball to center while the runner went to third.

   The nine run inning gave GVSU an 11-0 edge. Ashland tried putting together a rally in the bottom of the fifth when Michael Manser replaced starting catcher Adam Murphy and doubled, eventually scoring on a John Kuzio RBI single.

   Evan Melendez came up with two outs and sent a pitch to the center field fence, earning his first triple of the season. Melendez was then granted home plate by the umpire after the ball found its way into the Ashland dugout. The inning came to a close due to the second base running blunder of the day for AU.

   In the bottom of the seventh, after the hour and a half delay, the coaches decided to finish game one the following day and cancel the second game of the first doubleheader.

   The final two outs came within five minutes of commencing play. Ashland managed to get two more runs on the board but game one ended with a final of 16-7.

Game Two

   Game two started only fifteen minutes after game one finished but once again, Grand Valley was the victor despite a fantastic performance by Ashland starter Ajay Meyer. Meyer pitched his sixth complete game and picked his first loss of the season (5-1).

   Meyer held Grand Valley to only two runs on six hits while striking out eight and not allowing a walk. Unfortunately for Meyer, the Ashland bats couldn’t give much support. The Ashland offense was held to five hits, getting the only run across in the second inning.

     Meyer found a good groove and held the Lakers to three hits until running into trouble in the sixth inning. Garrett Yatch led off the inning with a double just off the left field line. Paul Young took advantage of the rare Meyer miscue and hit a two-run home run, giving GVSU all the runs they would need. Grand Valley fell short of adding an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning.

   Ashland left six runners on base in the contest. Grand Valley starter Kyle Schepel also pitched a complete game, improving his record to 4-0. Schepel walked two and struck out nine Eagle batters.

Game Three

   Aaron Hilt was the game three starter for AU. The right-handed junior went four innings, giving up five runs and earning four while walking three and striking out four.

   Hilt gave up a run in the first inning followed by four more in the top of the third. A passed ball, wild pitch and fielding error compiled together to allow the Lakers to put four runs on the board.

   The credit goes to Grand Valley starter Ryan Garman who no-hit the Eagles in his complete game shutout. Garman struck out eight and walked two. Grice finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and three RBI for Grand Valley.

   The Eagles’ doubleheader against Lake Erie was unavailable at press time. Ashland is next in action against Ohio Dominican Saturday. The two teams are scheduled for two doubleheaders, one Saturday and one Sunday. The Panthers are 9-11, 6-4 GLIAC.